• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Sunday 7 September 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

MGTO scraps plans for Macau tourist tax as tourism industry hits rock bottom

Jane Ka Cheng Wong by Jane Ka Cheng Wong
Thu 2 Apr 2020 at 05:56
Macau visitor arrivals surge through May but length of stay on the decline
31
SHARES
735
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

The Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, says debate over whether Macau should implement a tourist tax on foreign arrivals into Macau has been put on hold due to greater concerns over the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The MGTO last year launched an investigation and public consultation into the idea which has been implemented in cities such as Venice, Italy. The concept is seen as a possible means of alleviating congestion in Macau due to the mass influx of visitors linked to the gaming industry.

However, Macau last week banned all foreign arrivals from entering Macau, with only mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan residents granted an exception.

With Guangdong also declaring mandatory quarantine on anyone entering the province from Macau, including Guangdong province residents, Macau visitor numbers have plummeted to less than 300 per day.

In the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Fernandes said the government would no longer consider its tourism tax policy given the current state of the industry.

“It would not be an appropriate time to talk about the tourism tax anymore,” she said. “We should think about how to recover our tourism market, and think about which guest markets can come back quickly and focus on it.”

The MGTO Director suggested the mainland China market could recover soon but said the tourism authority would also target more foreign markets once Macau’s tourism industry begins to stabilize.

RelatedPosts

MGM Cotai

Bill Hornbuckle: Macau promotional environment now locked in place despite rapid return of VIPs

Fri 5 Sep 2025 at 06:45
A New Macau

Macau GGR now seen hitting US$31.8 billion as Jefferies again upgrades 2025 revenue forecast

Fri 5 Sep 2025 at 05:40
Galaxy Macau signs four-year strategic partnership to bring UFC events to Galaxy Arena

Galaxy Macau signs four-year strategic partnership to bring UFC events to Galaxy Arena

Thu 4 Sep 2025 at 12:13
Ng Wai Han named as first ever female director of Macau’s gaming regulator

Staffing ratio of locals within Macau’s gaming industry in focus as DICJ promotes two more department heads from Labour Affairs Bureau

Wed 3 Sep 2025 at 14:26
Load More
Tags: Coronaviruscovid-19Macao Government Tourism OfficeMacauMaria Helena de Senna FernandesMGTOtourist tax
Share14Share2
Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong is a journalist who joined Inside Asian Gaming after working for local Macau media for many years. As part of the IAG team she covers Macau-based stories relating to politics, gaming, IRs and local associations among other topics. Jane is intrigued by unique scenarios, vibrant cultures and different people, and hopes to continue exploring new places around the world in the future.

Current Issue

Editorial – Flipping the script

Editorial – Flipping the script

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:30

This month represents an important milestone for Inside Asian Gaming as we launch IAG EXPO – an expansion of the...

Asia market roundup

Asia market roundup

by Ben Blaschke
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 12:26

Inside Asian Gaming takes a deep dive into the state of Asia-Pacific’s key gaming markets: who’s hot, who’s not and...

Rewriting the rules

Rewriting the rules

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:43

IAG EXPO, taking place at Newport World Resorts from 8 to 10 September, is not your usual trade show. IAG...

Test of character

Test of character

by Newsdesk
Thu 28 Aug 2025 at 11:28

Since its establishment in 1989, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has developed into the world’s most trusted name when it comes...

Evolution Asia
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.
Aristocrat
GLI
Nustar
SABA
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
NWR
NWR

Related Posts

MGM Resorts CFO Corey Sanders to retire after 30 years with company

MGM Resorts CFO Corey Sanders to retire after 30 years with company

by Newsdesk
Sun 7 Sep 2025 at 11:35

MGM Resorts International has announced the retirement of its long-serving Chief Financial Officer Corey Sanders after 30 years with the company. Sanders, who first joined MGM as tax director of MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 1994, will remain as...

Bhumjaithai Party and anti-casino voice Anutin Charnvirakul voted in as Thailand’s new Prime Minister

Bhumjaithai Party and anti-casino voice Anutin Charnvirakul voted in as Thailand’s new Prime Minister

by Ben Blaschke
Sun 7 Sep 2025 at 10:30

Thailand has officially unveiled its 32nd Prime Minister after the House of Representatives on Friday voted to elect Bhumjaithai Party leader and vocal casino opponent Anutin Charnvirakul to the role. Anutin’s ascension comes after the Pheu Thai Party’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra...

Vietnam’s new Van Don integrated resort project scheduled for 2032 opening

Vietnam’s new Van Don integrated resort project scheduled for 2032 opening

by Ben Blaschke
Sat 6 Sep 2025 at 09:34

A new US$2 billion integrated resort to be built by Vietnamese development giant Sun Group in Van Don, Quang Ninh Province is planned to open in 2032, the company has informed Vietnam’s central government. The update, reported by local media...

IAG announces 19 sponsors of IAG EXPO’s Manila After Dark Official Welcome Event at Newport World Resorts on Monday 8 September

IAG announces 19 sponsors of IAG EXPO’s Manila After Dark Official Welcome Event at Newport World Resorts on Monday 8 September

by Newsdesk
Fri 5 Sep 2025 at 10:26

Inside Asian Gaming is delighted to announce a total of 19 sponsors for Manila After Dark (MAD) next Monday 8 September – the official welcome event for IAG EXPO, taking place at Manila’s Newport World Resorts. Running from 8 to 10 September,...

Your browser does not support the video tag.


IAG

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 中文

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 中文
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2025
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • 中文
  • English